Birmingham Shelter-In-Place Approved To Slow Coronavirus

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Birmingham City Council has approved a shelter-in-place order for the city through April 3 to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Nearly 250 cases of the illness have been confirmed in Alabama with a majority of those cases being in Jefferson County.

The order was approved Tuesday and went into effect immediately.

Residents can only leave their homes for essential needs including for work, grocery shopping, going to the bank and gas station or to get pick up from restaurants. Residents can also go outside for doctor's appointments or for exercise as long as they stay at least 6 feet away from others.

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All non-essential businesses and services are closed. The city said if a business is not specifically listed as "non-essential," it can continue to operate but must practice proper social distancing and health protocols that are defined by the Jefferson County Health Department. The city said businesses should use their best judgement to keep everyone safe, which may include allowing employees to work remotely.

Below are businesses and services defined as non-essential in the order:

• Retail stores
• Barber shops, hair salons, waxing salons and threading salons
• Nail salons
• Recreations facilities and activities
• Concert venues and auditoriums
• Theaters
• Entertainment venues
• Body art facilities and tattoo services
• Performing arts centers, events, rehearsals
• Massage therapy establishment and services
• Proms, formals and other similar events
• Museums, historical sites and galleries
• Social clubs, fraternity and sorority meetings and events
• Senior center gatherings
• Tanning salons
• Tourist attractions

As of Tuesday afternoon, 242 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Alabama, out of 2,321 patients tested. Of those cases, almost half of them are in Jefferson County.

The state has still reported zero deaths related to coronavirus.

Here is the county-by-county breakdown of coronavirus cases in Alabama as of Tuesday, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health:

• Jefferson: 91
• Shelby: 27
• Lee: 26
• Madison: 21
• Tuscaloosa: 10
• Montgomery: 9
• Elmore: 8
• Mobile: 6
• Chambers: 5
• St. Clair: 4
• Baldwin: 4
• Lauderdale: 3
• Walker: 3
• Calhoun: 2
• Cullman: 2
• Jackson: 2
• Limestone: 2
• Talladega: 2
• Tallapoosa: 2
• Autauga: 1
• Franklin: 1
• Houston: 1
• Lamar: 1
• Marion: 1
• Morgan: 1
• Washington: 1

Monetary relief is expected to come from Washington, but the bill securing relief funds has been held up. Se. Doug Jones (D-AL) voted against the most recent relief bill, citing its lack of assistance for working people and those who need relief the most

"We need a strong, bipartisan package that directly assists our workers, our health care providers, and vulnerable folks who need it most," Jones said. "We have no time to waste, so I am hopeful that this failed vote reiterates the message to Leader McConnell that the time for games is over and we need to move tonight to a bill that can receive broad support from the Senate and also pass in the House. We've got more work to do on this bill to make sure we're not leaving working families behind."

SEE ALSO:

3 Birmingham Restaurants To Close Permanently

UAB To Begin Coronavirus Testing Monday

Coronavirus: Non-Essential Jefferson County Businesses To Close